Good Morning,
It has taken me a little while to get back here since I signed up but my name is Christina Bader and I am a jeweler out of Tampa, Fl and hoping to run into some more crafters in the area.
Here is a little about myself, I have always been pretty crafty (got it from my mom) After some major medical issues this last year and a half my creative side seems to have really been tapped into literally, lol, hence taking my hobby to the next level and trying to turn it into a growing jewelry business. This last year has been a learning experience to be sure and I have made some mistakes but boy has it been fun! Any advice would be wonderful and I am looking forward to be part of the group here. Especially since it looks like we will be moving to the mid west (Illinois area) in the next two to three years, husband is military and retires around then. Will be a whole new area to learn, Florida is pretty easy, shows all year long.
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Welcome to AFI Christina! You will find some indoor shows. But I think that the bulk of those shows are in the October to December time frame since we want to be outdoors during the summer up here.
I am definately looking forward to the outdoors events up there, although this past summer I think the midwest was a lot warmer than we were here, lol. More really concerned about outdoor events in potential snow, here in florida we don't really get a lot of that :).
Welcome Christina. I hope this new venture goes well for you and you have a wonderful time exploring your creative side. I know Florida is great for shows all year long, but the Midwest runs a solid second behind it and actually gives you time to take a breather with not quite as many shows outdoors. I look forward to meeting you here. There are lots of jewelers on the site and most everybody is helpful. It seems like every topic has been covered and then a new one pops up. Best wishes.
Thank you for the warm welcome! I grew up in Michigan so I know how cold it can get, lol. Although to be fair I have lived down south many years so my blood is pretty thin right now, fairly certain you may see me in a parka the first winter or two with protable space heaters, thermal gloves, the whole nine yards. Glad to note that the area is second to the south, that was a concern given how prolific Florida is with fesitvals and fairs and to know there is down time is a refresher actually! What about indoor show, do there seem to be as may of those, or are the mainly in October to early Decmeber time frame?
We are looking at the Princeton, Illinois area, husbands home town, about half an hour form Springfield, 2 hours from chicago if that helps.
Hi Christina and welcome ato AFI :) I also make jewellery but am in Australia, so unlikely to run into you in person soon! But online someone is always around to help!
Hello Christina and welcome to our group. You will find most of the answers you need right here. If you have a specific question just put the key word (tents) into the search bar and where ever it has been discussed it will pop up for you. Most topics have been thoroughly discussed but I bet you may have some questions of your own. The artists are very helpful here, too.
I live in the midwest. Make sure to bring boots and a warm coat when you move. lol
Glad to have you here with us,